Hochge(h)traumt: Hike around the fairytale castle Lichtenstein

Hochgehberge to get down: 21 Pradikats hiking trails and walks lead to the most beautiful places on the Alb ridge and in the Schwabische Alb biosphere area. "Hochgehtraumt" starts and ends at the castle Lichtenstein.

Sleeping Beauty lives in Baden-Wurttemberg. In the enchanting castle Lichtenstein at the edge of the Swabian Alb. In the cinema anyway. The castle spectacularly hanging over the Ezach valley was one of the locations where the Grimm fairy tale was filmed. As well as the Hohenzollernburg – two of the most popular destinations in Landle.

Hiking where Sleeping Beauty was kissed awake

Lichtenstein Castle owes its appearance to the Swabian poet Wilhelm Hauff, in whose novel of 1826 a duke finds refuge in a "Lichtenstein Castle".

Count Wilhelm von Wurttemberg was so enthusiastic about it that he had it replicated and in 1842, together with his cousin, King Wilhelm I. inaugurated.

"Hochgehtraumt" at the Albtrauf

We quickly leave the hustle and bustle at the castle behind us and start our tour on the well-signposted hiking trail counterclockwise, past the Altes Forsthaus inn.

The first part of the trail leads through meadows and beautiful mixed forest along the Albtrauf – with wonderful views of the Echaztal valley. At the vantage point Breitenstein even with a view of Lichtenstein Castle.

Without major climbs, the route continues comfortably to the Giebstein and then through sparse beech forest to the Kalkofen hikers' parking lot (you could also park here and start the round).

Who would like to make only a small tour, could shorten here. After a short stretch of road, you soon meet up with the "hochgehtraumt" tour again and come back to Lichtenstein Castle.

But the official way is actually much too beautiful to leave it.

So we continue to the Nebelhohle (unfortunately closed during our visit), which is supposed to be very impressive. At the Maultaschenwirt at the cave we find a nice place in the sun and enjoy tripe and sausage salad.

Through and along the forest, later on varied meadow paths, we then hike in a wide arc back to Lichtenstein Castle.

Those who like me prefer to look at the landscape than constantly at the map, will like the high mountains. Like all premium trails, "hochgehtraumt" is also perfectly signposted, so getting lost is impossible 😉

After a short detour to the Lichtenstein ruins and the Hauff monument, all that's missing is a nice photo of the castle itself. For the famous motif above the slope we have to go into the castle courtyard, which is pretty, but much smaller than expected.

But this view alone is worth the three Euro fee.

Hike around Lichtenstein Castle – practical information

How to get there: Lichtenstein Castle 1, 72805 Lichtenstein

From Stuttgart by car via Reutlingen on the B 312 towards Engstingen. Parking directly at the castle (2 euro fee) or hiker parking at the Nebelhohle

By bus (no. 260, 7606, 7607 and 400) to stop Honau or Traifelberg. From May to October there is a bus shuttle (Naldo line 7635) from Engstingen train station to Schloss Lichtenstein.

Stop for a bite to eat: Directly at the castle Lichtenstein in the castle tavern, next door in the old forester's house or at the Maultaschenwirt at the fog cave